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Logan Ott likely to sustain impact on local running

Thursday, Nov. 8, 2012 11:12 AM

Mancos resident Logan Ott has been a fixture in the Durango running community for many years, most notably as a former collegiate runner for Fort Lewis College and four-year recipient of the Marc Witkes Memorial Cross Country Scholarship.

In 2011, Ott was named the FLC scholar-athlete of the year and received the Dr. Troy Bledsoe award, which is presented to a senior student/athlete who best exemplifies the balance of excellence in athletics and academics.

Although not particularly fast at the collegiate level, I have received recognition for having a good balance of brains and brawn, Ott said.

Otts family lived in Cape Town, South Africa, between 1999 and 2003. His father was a diamond geologist and coached cross country at the local primary school. Logan has fond memories of predawn training runs with his father during those years.

Dad was my first running role model, Ott said. Seeing him run all the time convinced me to try it.

Otts first real competitive running experiences were in 2003, when, as a freshman, he ran for Mancos High School.

I was so inspired by other Mancos kids, like Clayton Smith and Ian Mullikin, who actually made it to run in college, Ott said.

Another important role model was Brianne Lippoldt-Nelson, who was the distance coach for the MHS track team during Otts senior year.

Already setting his sights on another marathon, he said, Im thinking about running P.F. Changs Rock N Roll Arizona Marathon in January in Phoenix. The competition, low elevation and flat terrain will be great for fast times.

Running is like an adventure for Ott. He still gets excited about encountering animals along the route, watching the seasonal changes and running on windy obstacle-filled trails.

Although most of my runs are in the forest, I do track workouts and road races because it helps me increase my speed and accomplish new personal records, Ott said.

A civil engineer by trade, Ott worked on a land survey crew during the summer and currently is seeking an engineer-in-training position.

Ott currently runs for Team Earth Elite as part of the Mancos Project, a running club that values the importance of maintaining a sustainable lifestyle. Members believe in good health, community involvement through running and strive to become more sustainable in their daily lives.

I am confident we will be seeing Otts name among the top runners in Colorado as he continues to pursue his passion and tackle new running adventures.